Barcelona SC has formally presented a complaint to the Disciplinary Commission of the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) over the alleged improper alignment of Liga de Portoviejo player Dalo Bucaram. The action comes one day after Liga de Portoviejo announced a protest against Barcelona SC for using player Erick Mendoza in the Copa Ecuador.
The dispute involving Mendoza began when the attacker played in the round of 32 of the Copa Ecuador for Delfin SC against Banos Ciudad de Fuego and scored a goal. Mendoza subsequently played for Barcelona SC in the round of 16 against Liga de Portoviejo. Article 50 of the tournament regulations states that a footballer cannot play for more than one club within the same stage of the competition.
Liga de Portoviejo announced it filed a claim with the FEF based on that rule. Article 24 of the FEF Disciplinary Code states that a club fielding an ineligible player can be sanctioned with a 0-3 loss and the forfeiture of points. Under that outcome, Liga de Portoviejo would advance to the quarterfinals.
Barcelona SC responded by filing its own complaint with the FEF regarding Bucaram. According to documentation accessed by El Universo, Bucaram's transfer from Barcelona SC to Liga de Portoviejo was completed on Monday, August 3 at 17:06.
The match between Liga de Portoviejo and Barcelona SC took place on Wednesday, August 5 at 19:00 at the Reales Tamarindos stadium. Bucaram was listed on the official roster for Liga de Portoviejo and entered the match during the second half in the 65th minute.
Barcelona SC argued that regulations require a player registration request to be completed 72 hours in advance of a match. Only 49 hours and 54 minutes elapsed between Bucaram's transfer completion at 17:06 on Monday and the 19:00 kickoff on Wednesday. Barcelona SC asked the commission to determine whether Bucaram met all requirements or was ineligible.
Registration Process and Legal Precedent
Barcelona SC also targeted the administrative procedure under the FEF General Competition Regulations that allowed Bucaram to be validated. The club stated the Disciplinary Commission must evaluate the administrative review process alongside the actions of Liga de Portoviejo.
To support its argument, Barcelona SC cited FEF Disciplinary Commission Resolution CD-020-2025 from November 15, 2025. That ruling concerned an Ascenso Nacional match between Juventud Italiana and Mineros SC, where Mineros SC protested the improper alignment of May Laury Quinonez Ocampo.
In that resolution, the commission acknowledged that an improper alignment occurred but declined to punish the club with a 0-3 loss or point forfeiture. The commission applied an exception under Article 24, section 4 of the Disciplinary Code, citing competition integrity and the pro competitione principle because FEF registration departments shared responsibility for validating the player.
Barcelona SC argued that the commission must follow its own precedent in the current case. The club stated that applying a different standard without justification would violate principles of equality, legal security, and legitimate trust.
Copa Ecuador Quarterfinal Spot at Stake
The Disciplinary Commission must now resolve two separate claims arising from the same match. Liga de Portoviejo questioned the use of Erick Mendoza following his prior appearance for Delfin SC, while Barcelona SC claimed Liga de Portoviejo fielded Dalo Bucaram without meeting the 72-hour registration deadline. Both clubs requested a 0-3 victory by default.
On the pitch, Barcelona SC defeated Liga de Portoviejo 1-0 with a goal by Jhonny Quinonez to initially secure its qualification for the Copa Ecuador quarterfinals.
